Switches combine power and data transfer via Industrial Ethernet

The Siemens Division Industry Automation has fitted three of their Industrial Ethernet switches with PoE (Power over Ethernet) functionality in accordance with IEEE 802.3af. Depending on the scope and requirements of the application, the unmanaged switch X108PoE as well as the modular managed switches X308-2M PoE and XR324-4M PoE supply two, four or eight PoE-compatible terminal devices with data and power on a common line. Suitable terminal devices are IP phones, scanning systems, access points and IP cameras, for example. This not only helps save on installation costs but also makes an additional power supply for many terminal devices superfluous. Integrated into the new type of switch is a power supply in accordance with IEEE 802.3af for data and power supply of the terminal devices.

The Ethernet standard IEEE 802.3af, which defines the voltage supply of PoE-compatible devices connected to Ethernet, offers new fields of application in industrial automation beyond mere communications between automation devices. In the case of video surveillance, until now almost exclusively the domain of building automation, the new PoE switches integrate the connected cameras into automation applications. Application scenarios could include the monitoring of storage and retrieval units, or for operators in processing plants with increased safety for personnel and machinery and enhanced process quality.

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